[09/08/09 - 10:21 AM]Fall Into October with U.S. Premiere of BBC America's Co-Pro OccupationAlso on tap in October are new seasons of "The Graham Norton Show" and "Dragons' Den."

[via press release from BBC America]

FALL INTO OCTOBER WITH U.S. PREMIERE OF BBC AMERICA'S CO-PRO OCCUPATION

OCCUPATION � U.S. PREMIERE

Occupation is a searingly powerful drama that captures the lives of three British soldiers caught physically and emotionally in the cross-fire of the Iraq war. Described by one critic as "one of the very best British dramas of the decade," it's written by Peter Bowker, writer of the Golden Globe nominated Viva Blackpool and produced by the makers of Life on Mars and MI-5. Having participated in the invasion, and helped fly a critically injured child from Basra to a UK hospital, three soldiers find it impossible to slot back into civilian life. Driven by very different motives � each heads back to Basra. Sergeant Mike Swift (James Nesbitt, Five Minutes of Heaven, Jekyll) returns for the love of an Iraqi doctor, Aliyah (Lubna Azabal). Corporal Danny Peterson (Stephen Graham, Public Enemies, This Is England) returns for money, setting up a private security firm. Lance Corporal Lee Hibbs (Warren Brown, Shameless) returns because he passionately believes in the mission to rebuild the country and help the Iraqi people - and the mission is nowhere near accomplished. Amid growing sectarian conflict, and a boom time fuelled by billions of dollars from the U.S., their dreams of riches, love and making a difference come to define not just their lives but also the occupation itself. Occupation unveils a tale of wasted billions, lost lives, corporate greed, and a war that has left many questions unanswered.

Occupation, Part One premieres Sunday, October 18, 8:00 p.m. ET/PT and Part Two premieres Sunday, October 18, 10:00 p.m. ET/PT

THE GRAHAM NORTON SHOW � SEASON 6 U.S. PREMIERE

The Graham Norton Show is back with the U.S. premiere of its sixth season on BBC AMERICA. Graham Norton, one of Britain's best known television personalities, continues to merge pop culture, celebrity gossip and humor in his multi-award winning comedy chat show. Norton has also recently been seen as presenter and host for How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria? and Any Dream Will Do, the nationwide search for the next musical theatre star. His other presenting roles have included the Emmy Awards and BAFTA Awards. This season Norton's trademark wit, hilarious monologues and celebrity chat continues to bring Hollywood and Britain's A-list celebrities to his couch for more unique Norton banter. Past guests have included Zac Efron, Ricky Gervais, Juliette Lewis and Lily Allen.

Dragons' Den makes its sixth season U.S. premiere on BBC AMERICA. The Dragons give would-be entrepreneurs the chance of a lifetime to pitch their ideas in hopes of making their business plans a reality. Despite the economic downturn, the Den, once again proves to be an oasis of investment. But only for those entrepreneurs with the very best business ideas and inventions, who are prepared to put it all on the line by pitching the notoriously tough-talking Dragons. This season the Dragons are pitched a talking tree, a machine that turns air into water, a non-slip travel cushion and a company that's aiming to transform the nation's gardens by putting a twist on the traditional garden fence.

Dragons' Den premieres Tuesday, October 6, 9:00 p.m. ET/PT

MOVIES

MICHAEL COLLINS � BBC AMERICA PREMIERE

A historical biopic of the life and death of Irish patriot and revolutionary Michael Collins starring Liam Neeson, Julia Roberts, Aidan Quinn, and Alan Rickman in a ground-breaking story of loyalty and love during the Irish Civil War.

Michael Collins airs Sunday, October 25, 8:00 p.m. ET/PT

STUNTS

TOP GEAR VICTORY LAP

Start your engines for a victory lap around the Top Gear track with Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May in this Top Gear marathon. Re-live all the action from last season, as the team drive three supercars through France, compete in an epic race between a Bugatti Veyron and an airplane from Northern Italy to London and oversee the record-setting time for "Star in a Reasonable Priced Car." As a bonus, the marathon will also include classic Top Gear stunts in a new best-of special. Top Gear Victory Lap airs Sunday, October 4, starting at 1:00 p.m. ET/10:00 a.m. PT

ROBIN HOOD ROUND-UP

If you missed the first five episodes from the thrilling third season of Robin Hood, tune in to this marathon as Robin Hood and his gang of outlaws return to Nottingham following the death of his beloved Marian. Robin faces the challenge of avenging Marian's death by going after Guy of Gisbourne while the Sheriff continues to stir up trouble among the people of Nottingham. Can Robin avenge Marian's death or fall victim to his own fate? Robin Hood Round-Up airs Sunday, October 11, starting at 3:00 p.m. ET/12:00 p.m. PT

KITCHEN NIGHTMARES SUNDAY

Gordon Ramsay whips up a recipe for success for failing restaurants in this Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares Sunday marathon. Spend the afternoon watching Gordon turn around the biggest Kitchen Nightmares from both sides of the pond. Kitchen Nightmares Sunday airs Sunday, October 18, starting at 3:00 p.m. ET/12:00 p.m. PT

BEING HUMAN HALLOWEEN MARATHON

Just in time for Halloween, catch up on the witty and extraordinary look into the lives of three twenty-somethings and their secret double-lives � as a werewolf, a vampire and a ghost. George � a warewolf, Mitchell � a vampire and Annie � a ghost are faced with the challenges of their new life together but they are united in their desire to blend in with their human neighbors. Being Human marathon follows their journey of unwelcome intruders into their world, a threatened revolution from the vampire underworld and constant threats of exposure.

Other series that continue to premiere new episodes in October include:

Mondays: Top Gear

Thursdays: Skins

Fridays: Friday Night with Jonathan Ross

Saturdays: Robin Hood

BBC AMERICA brings audiences a new generation of award-winning television featuring news with a uniquely global perspective, provocative dramas, razor-sharp comedies, life-changing makeovers and a whole new world of nonfiction. BBC AMERICA pushes the boundaries to deliver high quality, highly addictive and eminently watchable programming to viewers who demand more. BBC AMERICA is distributed by Discovery Networks. It is available on digital cable and satellite TV in more than 64 million homes.